Sunday Times Prize Crossword 4467 Sunday January 8th 2012

[Vimto]

I have come to the sad conclusion after my feeble efforts today that I will never be invited to any future Bletchley Park. I am left with some sweepings from today's ST.

2 down. Clue: Very big author pens very big extract (6). I have: O?M?S? I can only see OSMOSE which I suppose can be to extract but I can't see the word play.
23 down. Clue Clubs given nothing extra, starting from lowest position in league (4). I have: ?L?C.
and finally, 4 down. Clue: Teacher's posh hairpiece seen in lift (4). I have: G?R? Help please.
Incidentally, has anyone had trouble this week and last ordering the free Sporting Calendar from the ST? It's driving me mad to try to pass their security system of codes.

[Nical]

4 D - Guru (u/posh+rug/wig,reversed)

[Lie-in King]

2d Osmose - os (outsize) + 'os' (in) 'me' ([the] author)
23d Bloc (league) - c(lubs) + o (nothing) + lb (leg bye = extra; cricket), from lowest position = up)
4d Guru - U(pper class) + 'rug' (lifted)

[BOB1957]

23 bloc

[MarkRae]

If it makes you feel any better, this is being commented on as one of the hardest Sunday Times crosswords for years! It took me ages...

[Vimto]

Thank you Nical, still asleep, Bob and specially to Mark who has given me hope, not of ever being a code-breaker but of me bothering to purchase the ST next week. Vimto.